Since New Zealand drifted away from the massive supercontinent, a unique flora and fauna has evolved with a large number of native birds and plants and strange animals, like the giant snail and weta (an insect). Before humans settled in New Zealand, it would have been an extremely noisy place. Large tracts of lush native bush supported an incredible variety of bird life. As they evolved, wings became unnecessary for some birds, as they had no natural predators to fly away from. As a result, several of New Zealand's native birds became flightless, including the kakapo parrot, the kiwi, the takahe, and the world's largest bird, the (now extinct) moa. As Maori and Europeans settled in New Zealand, they hunted birds and brought predators, including rats and stoats. This, and loss of habitat, led to the extinction of a number of birds including the Moa and Huia.
Birds
New Zealand’s national symbol is a nocturnal flightless bird called Kiwi, with nostrils on the end of its large beak. It is now endangered, and difficult to see in the wild. However, there are a number of ‘kiwi houses’ at zoos and wildlife parks. While they may look cute, kiwi can be fierce and highly territorial. The giant moa was also the tallest known, standing up to 3 metres. Other well-known New Zealand native birds include the kea (native parrot), weka, takahe, tui, and morepork owl. The playful kea is one of the most intelligent birds in the world and will happily attack a car in order to steal a windscreen wiper or other bits of rubber! The loveable weka is a flightless bird with a penchant for shiny objects, while the takahe has a beautiful indigo plumage and bright red beak. The morepork owl is so named because of the sound of its call, often heard at night. Reptiles
Reptiles present in New Zealand include skinks, geckos and tuatara. There are four endemic species of primitive frogs. The tuatara is a unique relic of the past. It can live for over 100 years. Now they are only found on protected offshore islands - around 30,000 live on Stephens Island in the Marlborough Sounds. Only growing up to 24cm in length, tuataras are not a threat to humans.
There are no snakes and there is only one venomous spider, the katipo, which is rare and restricted to coastal regions. However, there are many endemic species of insects, including the weta, one species of which may grow as large as a house mouse and is the heaviest insect in the world.
Marinelife
New Zealand has abundant and diverse marine life, and whale watching and swimming with dolphins are two of New Zealand’s most highly recommended tourist experiences. The small (up to 1.4m) Hector’s dolphin is the world’s rarest dolphin and only found in New Zealand waters.
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New Zealand Fauna
Since New Zealand drifted away from the massive supercontinent, a unique flora and fauna has evolved with a large number of native birds and plants and strange animals, like the giant snail and weta (an insect).
Before humans settled in New Zealand, it would have been an extremely noisy place. Large tracts of lush native bush supported an incredible variety of bird life. As they evolved, wings became unnecessary for some birds, as they had no natural predators to fly away from. As a result, several of New Zealand's native birds became flightless, including the kakapo parrot, the kiwi, the takahe, and the world's largest bird, the (now extinct) moa.
As Maori and Europeans settled in New Zealand, they hunted birds and brought predators, including rats and stoats. This, and loss of habitat, led to the extinction of a number of birds including the Moa and Huia.
Birds
New Zealand’s national symbol is a nocturnal flightless bird called Kiwi, with nostrils on the end of its large beak. It is now endangered, and difficult to see in the wild. However, there are a number of ‘kiwi houses’ at zoos and wildlife parks. While they may look cute, kiwi can be fierce and highly territorial. The giant moa was also the tallest known, standing up to 3 metres.
Other well-known New Zealand native birds include the kea (native parrot), weka, takahe, tui, and morepork owl. The playful kea is one of the most intelligent birds in the world and will happily attack a car in order to steal a windscreen wiper or other bits of rubber! The loveable weka is a flightless bird with a penchant for shiny objects, while the takahe has a beautiful indigo plumage and bright red beak. The morepork owl is so named because of the sound of its call, often heard at night.
Reptiles
Reptiles present in New Zealand include skinks, geckos and tuatara. There are four endemic species of primitive frogs.
The tuatara is a unique relic of the past. It can live for over 100 years. Now they are only found on protected offshore islands - around 30,000 live on Stephens Island in the Marlborough Sounds. Only growing up to 24cm in length, tuataras are not a threat to humans.
There are no snakes and there is only one venomous spider, the katipo, which is rare and restricted to coastal regions. However, there are many endemic species of insects, including the weta, one species of
which may grow as large as a house mouse and is the heaviest insect in the world.
Marinelife
New Zealand has abundant and diverse marine life, and whale watching and swimming with dolphins are two of New Zealand’s most highly recommended tourist experiences. The small (up to 1.4m) Hector’s dolphin is the world’s rarest dolphin and only found in New Zealand waters.
Adapted from:
http://www.newzealand.com/uk/article/new-zealand-nature-fauna/
http://www.ouatnewzealand.com/new-zealand/fauna-flora
Why not try this exercise now?:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47621644/fauna.htm